In our politically correct society, there are many calls to get rid of things that *someone* thinks is offensive: the cross, the ten commandments, the USA flag, the confederate flag, the word “Dixie.” In one case, there’s a call to sandblast the carved rock images of Confederate soldiers off the side of a mountain. It’s like there is a desire to erase history, when really we should learn from it.

 

Actually, that was the message of Paul in 1 Corinthians 10: Pay attention to the lessons of the past so you don’t repeat their mistakes. He speaks about how the people of Israel did all these religious things, “yet God was not pleased with most of them.” (v 5)

 

Maybe you’d like to join me in going through the checklist of examples Paul lists and see how we fare:

• Do not be idolaters. (Check. No graven images here, unless you count all the things I place as a higher priority than my relationship with God.)
• Avoid sexual immorality. (Check… if you don’t count movies and books)
• Do not test Christ (as with snakes) (Check for sure!)
• Do not grumble (Che…oops. Well, maybe I still have room to grow a little here!)

 

The truth is, we all fall short. We think we’re on firm ground but if we walk close to the cliff, or on the fence between right and sort of right, it’s easy to misstep and fall. We think we can follow God and watch movies that dishonor him. We think we can lead a “good life” and cheat others. We think we can dance with the world and walk with God. The Israelites tried it and many of them perished in hopelessness; it should be a warning to us: We “can’t drink of the cup of the lord and the cup of demons too.” (v 21)

 

We’re all tempted, and that’s not a sin. Whatever tempts us is common to everyone. You’re not the only one struggling. And when you are tempted, there is a way out of temptation! Jesus IS the way out. He endured all kinds of temptation so he knows what you’re facing. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Every temptation is an opportunity to trust God!

 

The solution isn’t just to flee from selfish and dishonoring ways. It’s not even to focus on trying to do “what’s right.” Our real solution is asking God to show us what’s BEST and most beneficial, what pleases and honors him, what encourages and helps others. I’m not sure it matters whether you sell everything and minister to people in a foreign land or whether you stay home and minister to those across the fence. What matters is that we refuse to let the past define us, but instead learn from it, and commit to honor God by loving him and loving others in his name. May that be the banner we carry today.

 

“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31